A COUNCILLOR has called for an investigation into the cost of Buckley's new &#xA3;2.75m swimming baths.

Green Party activist Klaus Armstrong-Braun claims public money has been wasted because Flintshire County Council bowed to pressure to provide a competition-size pool.

'They are building a 25m, six-lane pool just so the town's swimming club can hold competitions,' he said.

'In fact, a simple, family pool was all that was actually needed - at far less cost.

'What the public is paying for is a grandiose scheme to accommodate the wishes of a small number of people.

'Even with a 3ft-deep pool, they could have still held competitions. There was no need for a competition pool with a 6ft deep end, just so a few people could practise their diving. If they wanted this facility they could go to Mold.'

Cllr Armstrong-Braun is calling on the county council's internal auditors to investigate what he claims are the spiralling costs of the project.

He added: 'If the council had stuck to the original plan for a family pool, we would have secured grant aid from bodies like the Sports Council for Wales.

'But the fact that pressure was put on the authority by certain councillors and the swimming club means a hefty financial burden on Council Tax-payers.'